Meet the Newbies: Adriana Mather
Meet the Newbies is a blog event dedicated to introducing you to the “newbie” published debut authors. In this event, expect to learn more about the authors, their books, and silly fun facts! Check out the full Meet the Newbies lineup here.
Adriana's debut How to Hang a Witch is definitely one of my most anticipated books of 2016! I visited Salem, Massachusetts, and it was such a creepy and mysterious place. I'm utterly fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials and all the strange activity surrounding the area many years later. Introducing the lovely author of this modern day, Salem-Witch associated book... Here is Adriana Mather!
Author Most Likely to Have a Secret Nickname
Nickname: Adri First Day of School: July 26, 2016 Homeroom: Knopf/Random House Grade: Contemporary YA with a pinch of magic and witchery Extracurricular Activities: Sarcasm, Cats, Spells, Handsome boy ghosts, Pastries, Halloween Favorite Class: Salem History Favorite Quote/Motto: "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." ~ L.M Montgomery
modern Salem, witches, secrets, sugar
2. The Salem Witch Trials was such a fascinating and creepy time in our country's history. What is the spookiest thing you learned in your research?
The spookiest and most exciting thing I learned was what Salem Town is like now. History is woven into the very fabric of the culture there in a way I've never seen before. For instance, when Giles Corey was accused of witchcraft in 1692 he refused to plea guilty or not guilty. He was pressed to death over three days and right before he died he supposedly cursed Sheriff Corwin. People say even now that the sheriffs of Salem have always died mysteriously, either of heart attacks or blood disease. Salem is full of tales of historical curses, mysterious murders, and haunted inns (I've accidentally stayed in one). I love it so much, that I made an IG account (@how_to_hang_a_witch_series) to capture the atmosphere.
3. I understand that your family can trace their lineage back to the founding of the United States, how cool! Do you have any fun facts to share? How has your family's history influenced you?
We came over on the Mayflower, fought in the Revolutionary War, lived in Sleepy Hollow, survived the Titanic, and instigated the Salem Witch Trials. My great grandmother did an incredible job collecting lots of old family items and writing down what she knew about them. So now, I have all these fascinating old letters and journals to read about unrequited love, boarding school, and inventions. They definitely spark my imagination and part of what I do with my writing is bring some of these forgotten voices back to life.
4. I've also heard that you own a production company! Can you share a little bit about what you do?
I'm an actor and a producer, which actually helped me an amazing amount with writing and made me consider storytelling from multiple perspectives. I started my production company Zombot Pictures with James Bird and Anya Remizova because we wanted to make films with content we felt strongly about, with diverse casts and crews, and with lots of creative freedom. Our film HONEYGLUE just opened in NYC this past weekend and we couldn't be more excited about it. This is the trailer:
Interview:
1. Describe your book in 5 wordsmodern Salem, witches, secrets, sugar
2. The Salem Witch Trials was such a fascinating and creepy time in our country's history. What is the spookiest thing you learned in your research?
The spookiest and most exciting thing I learned was what Salem Town is like now. History is woven into the very fabric of the culture there in a way I've never seen before. For instance, when Giles Corey was accused of witchcraft in 1692 he refused to plea guilty or not guilty. He was pressed to death over three days and right before he died he supposedly cursed Sheriff Corwin. People say even now that the sheriffs of Salem have always died mysteriously, either of heart attacks or blood disease. Salem is full of tales of historical curses, mysterious murders, and haunted inns (I've accidentally stayed in one). I love it so much, that I made an IG account (@how_to_hang_a_witch_series) to capture the atmosphere.
3. I understand that your family can trace their lineage back to the founding of the United States, how cool! Do you have any fun facts to share? How has your family's history influenced you?
We came over on the Mayflower, fought in the Revolutionary War, lived in Sleepy Hollow, survived the Titanic, and instigated the Salem Witch Trials. My great grandmother did an incredible job collecting lots of old family items and writing down what she knew about them. So now, I have all these fascinating old letters and journals to read about unrequited love, boarding school, and inventions. They definitely spark my imagination and part of what I do with my writing is bring some of these forgotten voices back to life.
4. I've also heard that you own a production company! Can you share a little bit about what you do?
I'm an actor and a producer, which actually helped me an amazing amount with writing and made me consider storytelling from multiple perspectives. I started my production company Zombot Pictures with James Bird and Anya Remizova because we wanted to make films with content we felt strongly about, with diverse casts and crews, and with lots of creative freedom. Our film HONEYGLUE just opened in NYC this past weekend and we couldn't be more excited about it. This is the trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YHHQD3RfCA
5. What are some of your writing rituals?
I write in bed, usually with my cats and puppy draped over me. Someone once compared me to the grandparents in Willy Wonka. I can't really argue. Also, coffee. I have a deep love for coffee and fancy donuts.
5. What are some of your writing rituals?
I write in bed, usually with my cats and puppy draped over me. Someone once compared me to the grandparents in Willy Wonka. I can't really argue. Also, coffee. I have a deep love for coffee and fancy donuts.
About the Book:
Salem, Massachusetts is the site of the infamous witch trials and the new home of Samantha Mather. Recently transplanted from New York City, Sam and her stepmother are not exactly welcomed with open arms. Sam is the descendant of Cotton Mather, one of the men responsible for those trials and immediately, she becomes the enemy of a group of girls who call themselves The Descendants. And guess who their ancestors were?
If dealing with that weren't enough, Sam also comes face to face with a real live (well technically dead) ghost. A handsome, angry ghost who wants Sam to stop touching his stuff. But soon Sam discovers she is at the center of a centuries old curse affecting anyone with ties to the trials.
Sam must come to terms with the ghost and find a way to work with the Descendants to stop a deadly cycle that has been going on since the first accused witch was hanged. If any town should have learned its lesson, it's Salem. But history is about to repeat itself.
Buy Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Adriana Mather is the 12th generation of Mathers in America, and as such her family has their fingers in many of its historical pies – the Mayflower, the Salem Witch Trials, the Titanic, the Revolutionary War, and the wearing of curly white wigs. Also, Adriana co-owns a production company, Zombot Pictures, in LA that has made three feature films in three years. Her first acting scene in a film ever was with Danny Glover, and she was terrified she would mess it up. In addition, her favorite food is pizza and she has too many cats.
Social Media Links: Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram
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Have you read this book? Why are you excited to read it?
If dealing with that weren't enough, Sam also comes face to face with a real live (well technically dead) ghost. A handsome, angry ghost who wants Sam to stop touching his stuff. But soon Sam discovers she is at the center of a centuries old curse affecting anyone with ties to the trials.
Sam must come to terms with the ghost and find a way to work with the Descendants to stop a deadly cycle that has been going on since the first accused witch was hanged. If any town should have learned its lesson, it's Salem. But history is about to repeat itself.
Buy Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble
About the Author:
Adriana Mather is the 12th generation of Mathers in America, and as such her family has their fingers in many of its historical pies – the Mayflower, the Salem Witch Trials, the Titanic, the Revolutionary War, and the wearing of curly white wigs. Also, Adriana co-owns a production company, Zombot Pictures, in LA that has made three feature films in three years. Her first acting scene in a film ever was with Danny Glover, and she was terrified she would mess it up. In addition, her favorite food is pizza and she has too many cats.
Social Media Links: Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram
Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have you read this book? Why are you excited to read it?
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